WASHINGTON – A bomb threat at the Swedish Embassy has closed Rock Creek Parkway and other downtown streets, stalling traffic during the afternoon rush.
Someone left a message at the embassy switchboard Thursday afternoon claiming there was an explosive device in the building, at 2900 K St. NW.
Swedish Embassy officials say the building was cleared however bomb units remained on scene sweeping for explosives. The embassy building also houses apartments and offices and authorities planned to check each, one by one.
As of 6 p.m. D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier tells WTOP that officers have cleared the scene. However it was unclear what, if anything, was found or what triggered the threat.
WikiLeaks tweeted that the threat was tied to its founder Julian Assange, who is fighting extradition to Sweden.
An embassy spokeswoman said that members of the Swedish press in D.C. had inquired about the link to Assange but she could not confirm such a connection to WTOP.
The police activity shut down the Rock Creek Parkway north of the Kennedy Center along with K Street and 27th Street, causing delays in Georgetown and the West End. The Whitehurst Freeway was open but jammed outbound.
Rock Creek Parkway reopened before 7 p.m. however major delays were expected to continue.
Swedish press are reporting that the Sw embassy in Washington has been evacuated over #Assange related bomb threat http://t.co/xS7Vc8ihAy
— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) December 19, 2013
WTOP’s JJ Green contributed to this report. Follow @WTOPtraffic and @WTOP on Twitter.